With the holiday shopping season upon us and duck and goose seasons in full-swing, Waterfowler.com is pleased to announce the GRAND OPENING of the PROSHOP to both our guests and Members.
Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowle.com.
Begin your savings today and support this incredible resource by shopping in the PROSHOP@waterfowler.com.
Keep in mind that Supporting and Web Members of Waterfowler.com will continue to receive exclusive discounts on the expanded product line in our store to help offset their annual membership fee.
To kick off the PROSHOP Grand Opening to the public, anyone (member or guest) who spends $100 dollars or more in the PROSHOP will receive a FREE*, Foul Weather DRY BAG from Mad Dog Gear – valued at $29.99.
Offer expires December 15th 2002. Offer void where prohibited by law. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. $100 minimum order excludes tax and shipping to qualify.
Again, support the continuation of this great resource by becoming a member or shopping online today! To enter the PROSHOP, click on the SHOP OUR STORE link above or, <a href=”<%proshop_link:%>”>click here</a>.
And now, on with our weekly migration update:
PACIFIC FLYWAY
The heavy fog forecast for this past week in the Northern flyway did not materialize. Hunters in both the coastal and inland potions of the upper flyway are still reporting a slow trickle of birds moving down, but no major push thus far.
In the lower flyway, hunters report a big slow down in activity. Teal and other early movers are still the top birds in the lower states, but hunters on the eastern side of the flyway should see an influx of birds over the next week as a series of strong cold fronts spread through the heartland.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Geese are now the mainstay of waterfowling in the upper region of the Central flyway. Reports from across the upper region are of large concentrations of greater and lesser geese filling the mostly snow-free grain fields and remaining open waters. Duck numbers are falling off as more areas lock up tight with ice.
The middle section of the flyway seems to be holding the highest concentration of puddle ducks, though reports from as far south as coastal Texas are of better numbers than last year.
Snow geese continue to nearly overrun the Katy Prairie of Texas, but as is always the case, the longer they are in the area the harder they are to hunt. With a strong arctic blast shoving down through the flyway this week, hunters from the midpoint south can expect to see bird numbers increase.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Despite several earlier cold snaps that might have meant an early end to the season for the northern tier, it looks like hunters as far north as Minnesota may go out with a bang. Surprising as it may be, reports from northern MN tell of large concentrations of mallards. Open water and fields will be the key to late or last-minute success as these birds look to stock up before being forced south by the harsh cold fronts lined up to descend the Mississippi River Valley.
The big question for mid-latitude states in the flyway is: Will this last push stop over and redeem what has been a spotty season for many around northern IL? Though some hunters in that area have had success, thus far this season the general feeling is that most of the flight has passed them by.
The lower portion of the flyway is seeing the best early season in recent memory. Both AR and MS report larger than usual numbers of mallards for their opener this past weekend. Although reports are still spotty, it is already clear that this season has great potential for healing the hurt of last year’s duckless days. With ice and snow forecast as far south as North MS and Central AR for the holiday week, hunters should see a strong push of birds from Central MO southward as the weekend nears.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
The recent cold front moved a fair number of birds into the Northern reaches of the flyway. Goose numbers are on a steady climb and both puddle and diving ducks are starting to make a big push into the area.
The central portions of the flyway saw a shift of birds last week as cooler weather drove many of the birds they had been holding south, while a trickle of “big ducks” began to move into the area. A steady, slow build should continue as the next wave of fronts moves over and down out of Canada and the far northern end of the flyway.
The lower portion of the Atlantic flyway tells a story of teal and local birds at this point, but as cold weather invades their neighbors to the north, a fresh batch of birds should begin to appear.
The Thanksgiving Holiday should be primetime for waterfowlers in most of the United States. With cold weather forcing birds to feed up and move out, hunters should be able to count on better shooting as the weekend draws near. As we gather with friends and family over the next week, let us remember to give thanks for the opportunity to enjoy this great tradition of waterfowling, and perhaps take the time to share our passions with young and new hunters so that our heritage will live on for generations to come.
